Knapp Chiropractic and Wellness Center, Inc: New Dr. Nicole Knapp, D.C. blog post – Disc Herniation

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Brookfield, Wis. – (October 1, 2015) – Dr. Nicole Knapp, D.C., owner of Knapp Chiropractic & Wellness Center, Brookfield, has launched a wellness blog to educate the general public about health conditions that can affect the quality of their life. These articles can also be viewed on Dr. Knapp’s website, www.knappchirowi.com

Dr. Knapp’s new post is about Disc herniation:

Vertebral discs are pads located in between the vertebral bodies. These discs serve as shock-absorbers and keep the vertebrae from rubbing together. Each disc is designed like a jelly donut with a central softer component (nucleus pulposus) and a thick outer layer (annulus). Rupture of the central portion of the disc is referred to as a disc herniation.

A disc herniation occurs when the softer central portion of the disc ruptures (herniate) through the surrounding outer ring (annulus fibrosus). A herniated disc can cause a pinched nerve resulting in pain, numbness, or weakness in arms or legs. A bulging disc differs from a herniated disc since the bulging disc will simply bulge outside the space it occupies between the vertebrae. Unlike the herniated disc the bulging disc does not rupture. A bulging disc looks like a hamburger that is too large for its bun.

The most common location for a herniated disc to occur is at the level between the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae in the low back. If the disc herniation is large enough, the disc tissue can press on the spinal nerves that exit the spine at the level of the disc herniation.

A disc herniation usually occurs due to gradual wear and tear referred to as disc degeneration. In children, the discs are gel or fluid filled sacs, but begin to solidify as the normal aging process. Disc degeneration occurs when there is fluid loss in the disc making it more susceptible to injury. With disc degeneration a small twist or turn can cause a herniation. A disc herniation does not always have to be due to a large accident or lifting of heavy objects.

As mentioned above, the most common location for a herniated disc is at the level between the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae in the low back. This area is constantly absorbing the impact and bearing the weight of the upper body. This is especially important when we are standing or sitting.

The lower back is also critically involved in our body’s movements throughout the day. As we twist the torso in rotating side to side and as we hinge the back forward or backward while bending or lifting leading to wear and tear of the disc.

A treatment that may help alleviate a herniated disc includes stretching the spine, using a traction table or similar motorized device, with the goal of relieving back pain and/or leg pain. I call this procedure nonsurgical decompression therapy. Both traction and decompression therapy are applied with the goals of relieving pain and promoting an optimal healing environment for bulging, degenerating, or herniated discs.

Spinal decompression is a type of traction therapy applied to the spine in an attempt to bring about several theoretical benefits including: create a negative intradiscal pressure to promote retraction or repositioning of the herniated or bulging disc material. This creates a lower pressure in the disc that will cause an influx of healing nutrients and other substances into the disc.

Serving as a leading chiropractor in Brookfield, Dr. Nicole Knapp, D.C., focuses on preventative treatments to avoid surgical procedures, emphasizing a natural, holistic approach to healthcare. She has over nine years of chiropractic treatment experience, and is dedicated to serving the healthcare needs of her patients in Brookfield and surrounding areas, including Milwaukee and Waukesha.

Knapp Chiropractic & Wellness Center, Inc., is located at 17800 W Bluemound Road, Unit P, Brookfield, Wis. For further information, contact Dr. Nicole Knapp, D.C., at 262-796-5108 or nknappchiro@gmail.com. You may also go to www.knappchirowi.com.